Reviews and ramblings about children's and young adult literature by an absentminded middle school librarian. I keep my blog to remember what I've read and to celebrate the wonderful world of children's and young adult literature.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books I Love But Haven't Talked About

Once upon a time and another blog platform ago, I reviewed nearly every book I read. Then, I switched to Blogger and used the time I spent trying to write a decent review for reading. Now, I read nearly a book a day but don't get around to reviewing much. Here are ten I meant to review:

Character, Driven by David Lubar. 304 p. tom Doherty Associates, March, 2016. 978076516332.Oh! I'm bad, really, really bad. I received a bound manuscript of this unputdownable story last year and never blogged about it. I got it so early that it wasn't even in Goodreads yet and I didn't record it in my 2015 reading! I am a huge fan of Mr. Lubar's and, while this story contains his trademark wordplay and humor, it is a gamechanger. I am definitely rereading this soon. Maybe I will even review it.

The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle. 288 p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, March 29, 2016. 9781481404099.This is what I wrote in my GR blurb: I could've swallowed this whole but the voice and writing is too wonderful to rush through. Funny, sad, infuriating, satisfying, genuine and wonderful.This is one I'll definitely be rereading with my ears. I'm so psyched that Tim is performing his book because that was the voice in my head as I read the arc.

Anything You Want by Geoff Herbach. 320 p. Sourcebooks, May 3, 2016. 9781402291449.There's still time to blog about this one before its release in May, and I should because it's getting hammered on GR. And, I don't know why. I really enjoyed it. It was a difficult read despite Taco's inordinately sunny attitude - but that's the point! This is my GR blurb: Oh Taco, Taco! How I ached for you! Your unrelenting optimism made me wince and want to adopt you! Talk about unreliable narrators!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Six of Crows series #1. 480 p. Henry Hold and Co. Books for Young Readers, September, 2016. 9781627792127.Wowzers! For some reason, I never got to read Bardugo's Shadow and Bone series. I will now that I've read this. My GR blurb: Epic world-building, memorable charters, unbearable suspense, surprising twists, a semi-cliffhanger ending leaving my anxious for the next installment.

The Shepherd's Crown by Terry Pratchett. Discworld series #41/ Tiffany Aching series #5. HarperCollins Publishers, September, 2015. 9780062429971.Oh my, my. Such a bittersweet experience - loving the continuation of the Tiffany Aching's story whilst knowing there will be no more - ever. As usual, Stephen Briggs' performance was impeccable. I laughed. I cried. I want to reread all the Tiffany Aching books form the beginning. I want more.

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman. 320 p. HarperCollins Publishers. April, 2015. 9780061134111.Not since Matt de la Peña's I Will Save You have I been so totally immersed in the uncomfortable, terrifying, twisted mind of a mentally ill person. This is a brilliant, totally immersive work.

All three Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children books by Ransome Riggs.I read all three with my ears, which means I missed out on the intriguing and creepy photos. Book one was not-so-successfully narrated by Jesse Bernstein but books 2 & 3 were spectacularly narrated by Kirby Heyborne. I cannot wait to view the movie!

The Truth about Twinkie Pie by Kat Yeh. 352 p. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, January, 2015. 9780316236621.I just adore that cover! This debut has a fabulous voice. The book happens to be a fifth grade favorite at my school.

Denton Little's Death Date by Lance Rubin. 352 p. Random House Children's Books, April, 2015. 9780553496963.I actually read this debut with my ears. It was ably narrated by the author. I hear there is a sequel coming and am definitely going to add it to the tbr!

About Me

Hi! I'm a school librarian at a 5 - 8th grade middle school in northern New Jersey. I read children's and YA literature nearly exclusively. It's that good. I try to read across ages and genres, so my blog has no "theme." I read and review fiction and non-fiction at all levels from picture books (one is never too old for picture books) up to young adult, including audiobooks. I can be reached at bkahnlovesbooks(at)gmail(dot)com regarding where to send submissions for review.